Certified Medication Aide
Class Description
This 140-hour class teaches students the skills they need to become a state-certified medication aide. Medication aides work in health care facilities and help nurses give medications and care for patients.
Students will learn:
- Basic medication administration skills
- The duties of the health care team
- Legal and ethical rules
- How drugs affect the body
- Professional behavior and communication skills
- Anatomy and physiology related to medications
- Safety and infection control
- First aid and emergency care
- Common medication problems
- Special care concerns and other health care topics
Medication aides work under the supervision of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).
This course is required for anyone who wants to work as a medication aide in a long-term care facility.
After completing the training, students will be scheduled to take the state medication aide exam as soon as possible.
Admission requirements and/or prerequisites
Students must:
- Be employed as a Nurse Aide or as a non-licensed direct patient care provider in a facility for at least 90 days during the 12 months before the first day of class
- Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be free of communicable diseases and be physically and emotionally able to safely give medications
- Submit a signed and notarized Medication Aide Experience State Form from their employer showing employment status on the first day of class
- Submit a notarized high school diploma, transcript, or GED
- Complete required immunizations (see Note 1)
- Complete a drug screen (see Note 1)
- Submit fingerprints to HHSC before finishing the program (see Note 2)
NOTE 1: Before starting any health care class in the Health and Human Services Continuing Education Department, students must show proof of immunizations for:
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Diphtheria/Tetanus
Students must also provide proof of a tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray.
In addition, students must submit the results of a drug screen with at least a 10-panel test. The drug screen must be completed within 30 days before the class start date.
NOTE 2: Before finishing the program, students must complete fingerprinting. This replaces a background check.
Students must email medication_aide_program@HHS.texas.gov to receive a code to schedule fingerprinting with IdentoGO.
McLennan Community College is not responsible for:
- Scheduling fingerprint appointments
- Refunding students who do not pass the fingerprint background check
Students may complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO after receiving their code from HHS.
Class/Section Number
Course: NURA 1013
Recertification: NURA 1041
Class Schedule
Fall Full Length 2025 Dates
| Course | Dates | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURA 1013_F1 | 9/2/25–11/20/25 | TWTH | 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. |
Fall 2025 Recertification Dates
| Course | Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURA 1041_F1 | 9/29/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_F2 | 10/27/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_F3 | 11/24/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Spring 2026 Recertification Dates
| Course | Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURA 1041_S1 | 1/26/26 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_S2 | 2/23/26 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_S3 | 3/30/26 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_S4 | 4/27/26 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_S5 | 5/25/26 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Spring 2026 Full-Length Course
| Course | Dates | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURA 1013_S1 | 2/3/26–4/30/26 | TWTH | 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. |
Summer 2025 Recertification Dates
| Course | Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURA 1041_01 | 6/30/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_02 | 7/28/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| NURA 1041_03 | 8/25/25 | M | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Classroom Location
CMA: CSC E Wing, Room 161
Recertification: CSC E Wing, Room 160 and/or Room 161